Miloš Kerkez, the 21-year-old left-back from AFC Bournemouth, has emerged as one of the most promising young talents in European football. His dynamic playing style, which combines defensive solidity with attacking flair, has caught the attention of several top clubs across the continent. But what makes him so attractive amid the other young full-backs?
Among the many components, we can select a few that require a basic understanding. There are three major duties of a fullback – Attacking Attributes, Defensive Responsibility, and Tactical awareness.
Under these three qualities, a full back may touch immaculate maturity, and the Hungarian International ticks most of the boxes for Andoni Iraola. He has a good pace and sense of overlapping and is excellent in One-on-one duels and recoveries. But ‘The System’ that suits him utmost also deserves the appreciation.
Andoni Iraola and His System
Andoni Iraola is one of those modern-day managers who are highly influenced by Marcelo Bielsa. Typically, their footballing philosophy is known as “High Risk, High Reward.” Andoni Iraola typically deploys a 4-2-3-1 formation for Bournemouth, though he shifts to a more attacking 4-3-3 when the team is in possession. The 4-2-3-1 allows Bournemouth to engage opponents man-to-man while utilizing width in their attacks.
Defensively, the team can compact in the middle, with a defensive midfielder dropping deep to support the center-backs.
Andoni Iraola advocates for an intense, man-to-man pressing game, with Bournemouth often winning the ball high up the pitch, creating goal-scoring opportunities. The team is committed to closing down opposition players from front to back. However, he acknowledges that maintaining this level of performance will be a significant challenge.
Milos Kerkez in Andoni’s system
As his master Bielsa, Andoni’s system highly relies on both fullbacks. While doing overlapping, Milos also fills the criteria for underlapping when the team needs it most. Although the boy from Montenegro played versatile roles in the system as required.
Technical Intelligence
- Kerkez is able to cover big gaps during the transition.
- He can drop between the lines, and he has a proper sense of the event.
- He not only carried, but he also played a significant role in stretching the opposition’s defense. Pushing the field at the back, both fullbacks Milos and Adam Smith forced them to cover more portion of the ground. That creates space for wingers to exploit.
Attacking Attributes and Creativity
- Using his natural pace, Milos helps Marcus Tavernier and creates a numerical superiority.
- He not only loaded, but he also played a significant role in stretching the opposition’s defense. Pushing the field at the back, both fullbacks Milos and Adam Smith forced them to cover more portion of the ground. That creates space for wingers to exploit.
- Kerkez has three assists before his name. He almost provides 1.2 key passes per game.
- Per 90 minutes of the game, he attempts an estimated 42.94 passes, where nearly 76.9% are successful.
- Per 90 minutes, he has 3.90 progressive and 2.66 progressive carries per game.
- Till January 2025, he has 0.46 successful take-ons.
Defensive Duties
- His ball recovery rate is much better this season, as he recovered a minimum of 4.5 balls per game.
- He won 51% of one-to-one ground duels.
- Good in clean tackles.
- He is one of the perfectionists, as he has made zero errors till today that would lead to a goal in his own half.
Weakness
Besides doing sensational things on the field, Milos Kerkez, as a human being, has some limitations. Physically, he lacks some proficiency; for example, when it comes to aerial matter, he is not as successful as on the ground. He won only 30.6% of aerial duels.
Similar Players
We have some players with similar potential, such as Lucas Digne, Wan-Bissaka, Andrea Cambiaso, Emanuele Valeri, and Fran Garcia. Among all of them, Wan-Bissaka from West Ham matched these characteristics the most. Meanwhile, Andrea Cambiaso from Juventus has a slight inferiority in one-to-one situations. He just missed quite a few numbers in duels.
Fran Garcia from Real Madrid clicked on the circumstances. A player who is excellent in one-to-one, moreover good in crosses, progressive carries, and defensive actions.
Furthermore, Emanuele Valeri, who played Parma, may join the chat, though defensively, he is not good enough. In the end, we selected Cambiaso from Juventus and Garcia from Real Madrid to compare since they present different leagues. Also, the age criteria are 20-25 years.
Which Sides should go for him?
Milos Karkez ‘s market value is around 28 million. There are many top teams who may go for him in the next transfer window.
Liverpool: As per some news, Liverpool may sign the 21-year-old. Jurgen Klopp and, after him, Slot, both managers’ systems are highly dependent on an energetic left back. As Robertson is looking so unconfident for some significant matches, Liverpool may sign him.
Bayern Munich: At the end of the season, Alphonso Davies may leave the German giants. Munich is genuinely known for its wild, pressing nature. Maybe they will go for Milos to replace the Canadian International.
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